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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Vienna Shoulder Score (VSS) and Vienna Shoulder Formula (VSF) for follow-up and assessment of shoulder and shoulder girdle injuries].

The Vienna Shoulder Score (VSS) was screened by two groups of patients for use in medical expertises and follow-up examinations. One group (n = 157) consisted of patients with healed clavicular bone fractures, the other group (n = 130) consisted of healthy individuals. The study proved that the VSS is a useful, exact and fast method of shoulder evaluation after injuries to the shoulder and shoulder girdle. The side dominance is of no influence to the outcome of the VSS. The Vienna Shoulder Formula (VSF) helps to equalize the age factor in shoulder examinations.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Rehabilitation of neck-shoulder pain in women industrial workers: a randomized trial comparing isometric shoulder endurance training with isometric shoulder strength training.

OBJECTIVES: To study whether isometric shoulder endurance was more advantageous than isometric shoulder strength training in reducing pain and perceived exertion and to increase shoulder function through improved muscle endurance and strength. DESIGN: Randomized trial. SETTING: Three occupational health care centers. PARTICIPANTS: Women industrial workers with nonspecific neck-shoulder pain. The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis was "cervicobrachial syndrome" (M53.1). Thirty-eight patients completed the isometric shoulder endurance training and 31 patients completed the isometric shoulder strength training. INTERVENTION: Twelve weeks of training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported pain and rating of perceived exertion (RPE), arm motion performance test, shoulder muscle strength, shoulder muscle endurance, and shoulder functional tests, as well as follow-up after supervised training had ended. RESULTS: The isometric shoulder strength training resulted in an almost one-scale step decrease in RPE at work and a 5% to 15% improvement of arm motion performance compared with the endurance training. The isometric shoulder strength training more effectively improved left side shoulder abduction strength (p < .026), but no major differences were found for the other strength measurements. The isometric shoulder endurance training was not more successful than the strength training in the endurance test (p .51 to .81). CONCLUSIONS: Physical training programs for neck-shoulder pain may include isometric shoulder muscular strength exercise in addition to isometric shoulder endurance training, rather than endurance training only.

Exercise Therapy↗

Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons subjective shoulder scale in patients with shoulder instability, rotator cuff disease, and glenohumeral arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes assessment after the treatment of shoulder disorders has involved the use of various condition-specific outcome instruments. The purpose of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons subjective shoulder scale in patients with shoulder instability, rotator cuff disease, and glenohumeral arthritis. METHODS: Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, content validity, criterion validity, construct validity, and responsiveness to change were determined for the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder scale within subsets of an overall study population of 455 patients with shoulder instability, 474 patients with rotator cuff disease, and 137 patients with glenohumeral arthritis. RESULTS: There was acceptable test-retest reliability for the overall American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder scale (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.94) and ten of eleven domains. There was acceptable internal consistency for patients with instability (Cronbach alpha = 0.61), rotator cuff disease (0.64), and arthritis (0.62). There were acceptable floor and ceiling effects for patients with instability (0% and 1.3%, respectively), rotator cuff disease (0% for both), and arthritis (0% for both). There was acceptable and appropriate criterion validity, with significant correlations (p < 0.05) between the overall American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scale and the physical functioning, role-physical, and bodily pain domains of the Short Form-12 scale, and nonsignificant correlations (p > 0.05) with the role-emotional, mental health, vitality, and social function domains. There was acceptable construct validity, with all twenty-three hypotheses demonstrating significance (p < 0.05), and acceptable responsiveness to change for patients with instability (standardized response mean, 0.93), rotator cuff disease (1.16), and arthritis (1.11). CONCLUSIONS: The use of outcome instruments with psychometric properties that have been vigorously established is essential. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons subjective shoulder scale demonstrated overall acceptable psychometric performance for outcomes assessment in patients with shoulder instability, rotator cuff disease, and glenohumeral arthritis.

Adolescent↗

Muscle activation in the contralateral passive shoulder during isometric shoulder abduction in patients with unilateral shoulder pain.

Studies have shown an increased muscle activation at the opposite passive side during unilateral contractions. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of pain on muscle activation in the passive shoulder during unilateral shoulder abduction. Ten patients with unilateral rotator tendinosis of the shoulder and nine healthy controls performed unilateral maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and sustained submaximal contractions with and without subacromial injections of local anaesthetics of the afflicted shoulder. Muscle activation was recorded by electromyography (EMG) from the trapezius, deltoid, infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscles in both shoulders. During MVCs, the EMG amplitude from muscles of the passive afflicted side was not different in patients and controls, and was not influenced by pain alterations. In contrast, the EMG amplitude from the muscles of the passive unafflicted side was lower in the patients and increased after pain reduction. During the sustained submaximal contraction the EMG amplitude increased gradually in the passive shoulder to 15-30% of the EMG amplitude observed during MVC. This response was not influenced by differences in pain. We conclude that muscle activation of the passive shoulder was closely related to the activation of the contracting muscles and thus related to central motor drive, and not directly influenced by changes in pain.

Adult↗

Histologic evaluation of the shoulder capsule in normal shoulders, unstable shoulders, and after failed thermal capsulorrhaphy.

BACKGROUND: Attenuation of the shoulder capsule has been noted during revision surgery for failed thermal capsulorrhaphy. HYPOTHESIS: The attenuated capsule seen in patients who have undergone failed thermal capsulorrhaphy will show histologic characteristics distinguishing it from the capsule of normal shoulders and dislocating shoulders. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study. METHODS: The shoulder capsules were studied in 12 patients with traumatic anterior instability and in 7 patients who experienced recurrent instability after a thermal capsulorrhaphy. The capsules of six fresh-frozen cadavers with no shoulder lesions were used as controls. RESULTS: Among patients who had a history of traumatic instability, a denuded synovial layer was present in 58%, subsynovial edema in 58%, increased cellularity in 25%, and increased vascularity in 83%. At the time of surgery, five of seven shoulders in the failed thermal capsulorrhaphy group (71%) were subjectively felt to be thin and attenuated. Denuded synovium was found in 100% of these patients, subsynovial edema in 43%, and changes in the collagen layer in 100%. Changes in the collagen layer in these patients included a "hyalinization" appearance in five cases (71%), increased collagen fibrosis in two cases (29%), and increased cellularity in two cases (29%). CONCLUSIONS: There was no one characteristic observable on histologic evaluation that would explain the attenuation of the capsule in cases of failed thermal treatment. Morphologic collagen structure can be histologically abnormal for up to 16 months after thermal capsulorrhaphy.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of the University of California-Los Angeles Shoulder Scale and the Simple Shoulder Test with the shoulder pain and disability index: single-administration reliability and validity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Shoulder scales are often used to evaluate treatment efficacy, yet little is known about the psychometric properties of these scales. Only one scale has undergone psychometric scrutiny: the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). This study compared 2 shoulder measures-the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Scale and the Simple Shoulder Test (SST)-with the SPADI. SUBJECTS: One hundred ninety-two patients with shoulder disorders were recruited from one physician's office to complete the self-report sections of the 3 scales. METHODS: Cronbach alpha values and standard errors of measurement (SEM) were calculated for each of the multi-item subscales. Validity was examined through calculation of correlation coefficients among the 3 scales. Factor analysis was completed to assess the underlying constructs of the SPADI and the SST. RESULTS: Cronbach alpha values ranged from.85 to.95. The SEM values for the multi-item scales ranged from 4.75 to 11.65. Evidence for validity to reflect function was indicated by the correlation between the SST and the SPADI disability subscale. The factor analysis of the SPADI revealed loading on 1 factor, whereas the SST loaded on 2 factors. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: All scales demonstrated good internal consistency, suggesting that all items for each scale measure the same construct. However, the SEMs for all scales were high. Factor loading was inconsistent, suggesting that patients may not distinguish between pain and function.

Adolescent↗

Shoulder-strengthening exercise with an orthosis for multidirectional shoulder instability: quantitative evaluation of rotational shoulder strength before and after the exercise program.

We evaluated the results of shoulder-strengthening exercises with our novel shoulder orthosis to stabilize the scapula in 46 patients with multidirectional shoulder instability. We quantified the changes in muscle strength produced by our rehabilitation program. Our study included 34 female patients and 12 male patients (mean age, 20 years) with 73 affected shoulders. All patients performed the prescribed exercise program for 8 weeks. Their mean total scores on the modified Rowe grading system significantly increased from 51.9 to 74.9 points (P <.001). The mean peak torque of internal and external rotation, measured with an isokinetic dynamometer, significantly increased (P <.05); the mean external/internal peak torque ratios significantly decreased (P <.05) and were normalized upon completion of the rehabilitation program. Because of failure of conservative treatment, 3 patients underwent surgery at a mean follow-up duration of 7 years. We conclude that the prescribed shoulder-strengthening exercise represents a useful treatment option for patients with multidirectional shoulder instability.

Adolescent↗

Lessons learnt from the painful shoulder; a case series of malignant shoulder girdle tumours misdiagnosed as frozen shoulder.

Adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder is a common condition characterized by shoulder pain and stiffness. In patients in whom conservative measures have failed, more invasive interventions such as arthrographic or arthroscopic distension can be very effective in relieving symptoms and improving range of movement. However, absolute contraindications to these procedures include the presence of neoplasia around the shoulder girdle. We present five cases referred to our institution where the diagnosis of shoulder joint malignancy was delayed, following prolonged, ineffective treatment for frozen shoulder. These cases highlight the importance of careful review of the radiology and the need for reconsideration of the diagnosis in refractory "frozen shoulder".

Journal Article↗

Shoulder proprioception: a comparison between the shoulder joint in healthy and surgically repaired shoulders.

Proprioceptive mechanisms appear to play a role in stabilizing the glenohumeral joint and may serve as a means for interplay between the static stabilizers and the dynamic muscle restraints. The aim of this study was to investigate proprioception of the joint in healthy and surgically repaired shoulders. Shoulder proprioception was measured in 44 subjects who were assigned to two experimental groups: group 1, healthy subjects (n = 24); and group 2, patients who have undergone surgical reconstruction (n = 20). Joint position sense was measured with a Cybex NORM isokinetic dynamometer. The results revealed no significant differences in proprioception between the dominant and nondominant shoulders in group 1. No significant mean differences were revealed between the surgical and contralateral shoulder in group 2 under any test condition. These results imply that arm dominance in healthy individuals does not influence the proprioceptive sensibility and that reconstructive surgery appears to restore some of these proprioception characteristics.

Adolescent↗

Shoulder function in patients with frozen shoulder before and after 4-week rehabilitation.

UNLABELLED: This study evaluated changes in shoulder function in patients with frozen shoulder after 4-week rehabilitation combining exercise with electrical therapy and massage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten patients with frozen shoulder (mean +/- standard error (SE) age 50.2+/-4.6 years) and 10 control subjects (49.8+/-4.6 years) participated in the study. Standard goniometric measurements were used to assess shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation active range of motion. Isometric maximal force of the shoulder flexors, abductors, adductors, internal and external rotators was measured by hand-held dynamometer. Shoulder muscle isometric endurance was characterized by net impulse assessed during weight (30% of maximal force) holding in hand till exhaustion. Shoulder pain was assessed by visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Before rehabilitation, patients with frozen shoulder had less (p<0.05) active range of motion and shoulder muscle maximal force for all measured directions, and less (p<0.05) net impulse during shoulder muscle isometric endurance test for involved extremity compared to controls. In patients with frozen shoulder, shoulder flexion, abduction, adduction and adduction active range of motion, maximal force of shoulder muscles in all measured force directions and net impulse during shoulder muscle isometric endurance test for involved extremity increased (p<0.05) after rehabilitation. No significant changes in shoulder internal and external rotation active range of motion for involved extremity in patients with frozen shoulder were observed with rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: A 4-week rehabilitation program improved shoulder flexion, extension, abduction and adduction active range of motion in patients with frozen shoulder coupled with non-significant changes in external and internal rotation range of motion. A significant increase in shoulder muscle isometric strength and endurance and decrease in shoulder pain in patients with frozen shoulder was observed after treatment.

Adolescent↗

Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for neck and shoulder pain among working age adults.

BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation programs for neck and shoulder pain require substantial staff and financial resources. Despite questionable scientific evidence of their effectiveness, they are widely used. Neck and shoulder complaints are common among working age adults and they are often associated with physical work load and stress. Pain in the neck and shoulder area cause biopsychosocial difficulties for the patient especially if disability due to pain is prolonged. To help patients with biopsychosocial problems or to prevent their development, multidisciplinary biopsychosocial programs are applied on rehabilitation for neck and shoulder pain patients. Nevertheless multidisciplinary treatment programmes are often laborious and rather long processes and require good collaboration between the patient, the rehabilitation team and the work place. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for neck and shoulder pain among working age adults. SEARCH STRATEGY: The reviewed studies for this structured Cochrane review were identified from electronic bibliographic databases, the Science Citation Index, reference checking and consulting experts in the rehabilitation field. The original search was planned and performed for more broad area of musculoskeletal disorders. Trials on neck and shoulder pain were separated afterwards. SELECTION CRITERIA: From all references found in our original search we selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled clinical trials (CCTs). Trials had to assess the effectiveness of biopsychosocial rehabilitation for patients suffering from neck and shoulder pain among working age adults. The rehabilitation program was required to be multidisciplinary, i.e.; it had to consist of a physician's consultation plus either a psychological, social or vocational intervention, or a combination of these. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Four blinded reviewers selected the randomized controlled trials and controlled trials that met the specified inclusion criteria. Two experts in the field of rehabilitation evaluated the clinical relevance and applicability of the findings of the selected studies to actual clinical use. Two other blinded reviewers extracted the data and assessed the main results and the methodological quality of the studies using standardized forms. Finally, a qualitative analysis was performed to evaluate the level of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation. MAIN RESULTS: After screening 1808 abstracts, and the references of 65 reviews, we found only 2 relevant studies that satisfied our criteria. One of these was considered methodologically low quality randomized controlled trial and the other one was a methodologically low quality controlled clinical trial. The clinical relevance of included studies was satisfactory. The level of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation was limited for neck and shoulder pain. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there appears to be little scientific evidence for the effectiveness of multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation compared with other rehabilitation facilities on neck and shoulder pain. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation is a commonly used intervention for chronic neck and shoulder complaints, therefore we see an urgent need for high quality trials in this field.

Adult↗

A six-year retrospective analysis of shoulder dystocia and delivery of the shoulders.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis, incidence and management of shoulder dystocia. DESIGN: Retrospective review of all the deliveries between 1988 and 1993 which were coded on the computer data base as 'moderate difficulty with the shoulders' or 'shoulder dystocia'. SETTING: A teaching hospital in the south of England. PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of 15,658 women who had cephalic vaginal deliveries of babies weighing > 2.5 kg. The sample consisted of the 257 women reported to have moderate difficulty with the shoulders or shoulder dystocia at delivery. FINDINGS: There was a significant fall in the reported incidence of shoulder dystocia during the period under investigation. Eighty-six (1.1%) of the deliveries between 1988 and 1990 were reported to have been complicated by shoulder dystocia. In 1991 a second option was introduced to allow both shoulder dystocia or moderate difficulties with the shoulders to be coded after delivery. Following this change in categorisation, the incidence of shoulder dystocia was reduced to 30 (0.6%) reported cases in 1992-1993. Over the same period the reported incidence of moderate difficulty rose significantly from 29 (1.1%) in 1992 to 60 (2.4%) in 1993 (P < 0.001). Disparity was noted between the experience of practitioners and contemporary definitions of shoulder dystocia and this was highlighted by the number of reported cases of moderate difficulty. In this study practitioners used the term shoulder dystocia in a general sense to describe a range of difficulties encountered with the delivery of the shoulders and they identified many varied manifestations. In comparison, contemporary literature describes shoulder dystocia as a discrete entity. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder dystocia is a complex clinical scenario and perceptions of the incidence may be influenced by alterations in the delivery technique and changes in the diagnosis and documentation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The application of traction may interfere with the normal mechanisms of labour and the spontaneous birth of the shoulders, whilst increasing the risk of trauma to the baby. It may be unnecessary to use such interventions routinely in the care of normal labouring women.

Birth Weight↗

The Effect of a Neoprene Shoulder Stabilizer on Active Joint-Reposition Sense in Subjects With Stable and Unstable Shoulders.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of shoulder bracing on active joint-reposition sense in subjects with stable and unstable shoulders. DESIGN AND SETTING: Two subject groups, with stable and unstable shoulders, participated in an active joint-reposition test of the shoulder under braced and unbraced conditions. SUBJECTS: Forty subjects (22 men, 18 women; age = 21.85 +/- 3.12 years; height = 173.97 +/- 10.08 cm; weight = 71.27 +/- 11.68 kg) were recruited to participate in this study. Twenty Division I athletes were referred to us for shoulder instability, which was subsequently confirmed with clinical assessment. The remaining 20 subjects were recruited from a similar student population and assessed as having stable shoulders. MEASUREMENTS: Each subject's ability to perceive joint position sense in space was tested by actively reproducing 3 preset angles (10 degrees from full external rotation, 30 degrees of external rotation, and 30 degrees of internal rotation) with and without a shoulder brace. Full, active external-rotation range of motion was assessed before active joint-reposition sense testing. RESULTS: While wearing the shoulder brace, the group with unstable shoulders demonstrated significant improvement in the accuracy of active joint repositioning at 10 degrees from full external rotation in comparison with the stable group. Furthermore, those with unstable shoulders demonstrated significantly less full external rotation than did those with stable shoulders, and the brace reduced full external rotation only for those with stable shoulders. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that shoulder active joint-reposition sense in subjects with unstable shoulders can be improved at close to maximal external rotation by wearing a shoulder brace. This effect does not appear to be related to restriction of shoulder external rotation.

Journal Article↗

Long head of the biceps pathology as a cause of anterior shoulder pain after shoulder arthroplasty.

The use of shoulder arthroplasty has been increasing over the last decade, with nearly 20,000 shoulder arthroplasties being performed each year. Although many patients have excellent results, there exists a subset of patients in whom anterior catching shoulder pain develops after arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to examine this group of patients and explore treatment options and outcomes for this condition. We undertook a review of 8 shoulders in 7 patients who were treated for anterior shoulder pain radiating into the biceps muscle after shoulder arthroplasty. Three patients had a hemiarthroplasty for fracture, and five had a total shoulder arthroplasty. All patients had anterior shoulder pain with physical examination findings consistent with biceps tendon pathology. Definitive diagnosis and treatment consisted of either arthroscopy, in 7 of 8 shoulders, or an open procedure, in 1 of 8 shoulders. The range of motion improved in all shoulders. The hemiarthroplasty group showed an increase in flexion of 36 degrees (range, 68 degrees -104 degrees ), external rotation of 23 degrees (range, 11 degrees -34 degrees ), and internal rotation to L4. The total shoulder group demonstrated an increase in flexion of 50 degrees (range, 66 degrees -166 degrees ), external rotation of 27 degrees (range, 22 degrees -39 degrees ), and internal rotation to L3. The Hospital for Special Surgery score improved in all shoulders, with all patients being satisfied with their final outcome. Pain scores improved from a mean of 6.9 (range, 4-9) preoperatively to 1.4 (range, 0.5-2) postoperatively on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 indicating the most pain. The role of the biceps tendon in the pathology of anterior shoulder pain after shoulder arthroplasty appears to be consistent with fibrosis and inflammation. Initial results, achieved with arthroscopic debridement or tenodesis, were encouraging.

Aged↗

Prevalence and identification of shoulder pathology in athletic and nonathletic wheelchair users with shoulder pain: A pilot study.

Although many wheelchair users report shoulder pain, the prevalence of specific pathologies remains controversial. Rotator cuff impingement, glenohumeral instability, and biceps tendonitis have been stated as the most commonly found pathology. This study investigated the prevalence and identity of shoulder pathology in athletic and nonathletic manual wheelchair users (MWCUs). Fifty-two MWCUs (26 athletes, 26 nonathletes) completed a survey regarding the nature of their injury, sports involvement, history, and presence of current and/or past shoulder pathology. Subjects currently experiencing shoulder pain underwent a clinical examination of both shoulders. Analysis of variance (p <or=0.05) determined if differences existed between the groups in demographic variables, history of shoulder pain, and clinical evaluation measures in those with shoulder pain. Chi-squared (p <or=0.05) analysis verified the frequency distribution and association by groups and involved limbs for the clinical shoulder test measures. No difference was found in the incidence of shoulder pain, past or present, between athletes and nonathletes. Collectively, 61.5% (32/52) of the subjects reported experiencing shoulder pain, with 29% reporting shoulder pain at the present time. Years since onset of disability (p = 0.01) and duration of wheelchair use (p = 0.01) were found to be greater in individuals who reported a history of shoulder pain. Of the painful shoulders tested, 44% revealed clinical signs and symptoms of rotator cuff impingement, while 50% revealed signs of biceps tendonitis. Instability was found in 28% of the painful shoulders. These findings indicate that involvement in athletics neither increases nor decreases the risk of shoulder pain in the manual wheelchair population. Bicipital tendonitis with impingement syndrome was the most common pathology.

Adult↗

A comparison of pain, strength, range of motion, and functional outcomes after hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A systematic review of the literature was performed to estimate the impact of hemiarthroplasty compared with total shoulder arthroplasty on function and range of motion in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the shoulder. METHODS: We conducted an electronic search for relevant studies published in any language from 1966 to 2004, a manual search of the proceedings from five major orthopaedic meetings from 1995 to 2003, and a review of the reference lists from potentially relevant studies. Four randomized clinical trials, with similar eligibility criteria and surgical techniques, that compared hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of primary osteoarthritis of the shoulder were found to be eligible. Authors from three of the four studies provided original patient data. Analysis of covariance focused on the two-year outcome and included a comparison of the aggregate University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score, four University of California at Los Angeles domain scores, and range of motion. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients (fifty managed with hemiarthroplasty and sixty-two managed with total shoulder arthroplasty), who had a mean age of sixty-eight years, were included in this analysis. A significant moderate effect was detected in the function domain of the University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score (p < 0.001) in favor of total shoulder arthroplasty (mean [and standard deviation], 8.1 +/- 0.3) compared with hemiarthroplasty (mean, 6.6 +/- 0.3). A significant difference in the pain score was found in favor of the total shoulder arthroplasty group (p < 0.0001). However, the large degree of heterogeneity (p = 0.006, I(2) = 80.2%) among the studies decreased our confidence that total shoulder arthroplasty provides a true, consistent benefit with regard to pain. There was a significant difference in the overall change in forward elevation of 13 degrees (95% confidence interval, 0.5 degrees to 26 degrees ) in favor of the total shoulder arthroplasty group (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: At a minimum of two years of follow-up, total shoulder arthroplasty provided better functional outcome than hemiarthroplasty for patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder. Since continuous degeneration of the glenoid after hemiarthroplasty or glenoid loosening after total shoulder arthroplasty may affect the eventual outcome, longer-term (five to ten-year) results are necessary to determine whether these findings remain consistent over time.

Activities of Daily Living↗

The effect of simulated school load carriage configurations on shoulder strap tension forces and shoulder interface pressure.

Recently, several studies have addressed the physical demands of school student's load carriage, in particular the load weight carried, using physical demands indicators such as oxygen consumption, gait, and posture. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different load carriage configurations on shoulder strap tension forces and shoulder interface pressure during simulated school student's load carriage. A load carriage simulator was used to compare shoulder strap forces and shoulder pressure for 32 combinations of gait speed, backpack weight, load distribution, shoulder strap length and use of a hip-belt. The results showed that the manipulation of backpack weight, hip-belt use and shoulder strap length had a strong effect on shoulder strap tension and shoulder pressure. Backpack weight had the greatest influence on shoulder strap tension and shoulder pressure, whereas hip-belt use and then shoulder strap adjustment had the next greatest effects, respectively. While it is clear that researchers and practitioners are justified in focusing on load magnitude in backpack studies as it has the greatest effect on shoulder forces, hip-belt use and shoulder strap adjustment should also be examined further as they too may have significant effects on the demands placed on backpack users. Based on the present findings, school students should wear their backpacks with the least weight possible, use the hip-belt if present, allow a reasonable amount of looseness in the shoulder straps and should position the heaviest items closest to their back. However, more detailed work using human participants needs to be undertaken before these recommendations can be confirmed.

Back Pain↗